How To: Get More Control

Getting more control is sometimes hard, after lots of research we found solutions. The first step in getting more control, or getting control back is to analyse!!! We assume you would use normal sized gear for the conditions, if you are looking outside the box (extreme big/small) it sometimes doesn't work out.

Check out what causes the lack of control:

Board to flat, bumpy ride it feels like the board hits every wave up front. Occurs mostly on deep downwind courses, sometimes it also causes spinouts on deep-downwind.

Tail to loose causing spin-out. Occurs mostly in lowwind at any speed at crosswind-downwind courses.

Board to flat (solution)

When the board rides to flat it is especially on lower speed much more harder to get the gear in control AND to go fast (because board and saildrag increase dramatically). The solution is often found by pulling a few more cm downhaul through the cleat. After this the sail will lift you higher out of the water, which makes you touch less waves. Sometimes the harnasslines have to be placed a little bit more to the back.

The 2nd solution for this problem could be making your harnasslines a bit shorter. Speedsurfingblog advices only step 1 first.

When the boardangle is unstable the gear is often fast, potential. Problem is you are just over the edge. The solution is often found by releasing a few cm downhaul through the cleat. After this the sail will get less vertical lift, or "more downforce" is term sometimes used, this force helps the board getting more stable. Sometimes the harnasslines have to be placed a little bit more to the front.

The second solution for this problem is putting the mastfoot a bit forward. Steps of 0.5cm adviced

This one is mostly happening to beginning speedsurfers, while professional speedsurfers constantly try to push the tail as high as possible to decrease drag. The easiest solution seems to be to buy a fin with great horizontal lift potential, like the Select S07.

If your have a "tail to loose" problem with Select S07 of Caspar Speed we advice to take a look at the Basic Tuning Setup. One suggestion beside the basic tuning setup is a bit more downhaul.

But changing FINS to another high lift (but much more draggy) fin is not the only solution. Being able to learn the fins behaviour is sometimes needed (in special speedfin cases), this is the reason why speedsurfingblog advices to take the safe route and buy an easy fin.

Erik Loots

Erik is windsurfer for 10+ years. In his daily life he is professional in construction dewatering, advisor, troubleshooter. Erik likes adventures, explore and to challenge himself. During his life he is trying to get the best out of it and have respect for the earth, nature and future generations. The modern world is about sharing, in this blog Erik shares his experiences, selfreflection and lessons learned.

2 comments:

".... The solution is often found by releasing a few cm downhaul through the cleat. After this the sail will get less vertical lift..... " I would have thought releasing downhaul would have closed the top of the sail, generated more power higher up the sail and lifted front of board?